London & Partners

The canals of Little Venice
London’s Compass
Whether central, north, south, east or west, all of London’s regions have hidden gems to offer
CENTRAL LONDON
London’s heart is made up of
many boroughs including Camden,
Islington, the City of Westminster,
and the City of London (the main
financial area of the capital).
This buzzing region has a dense
concentration of offices, embassies,
theatres, museums, nightspots,
shops and state buildings, as well as
the official home of the Queen. It’s
also famed for its entertainment and
dining hubs, such as the West End.
Hidden Gem: Russell Square.
A large 19th-century garden square.
Drop by to enjoy its picturesque
charms and watch the leaves
changing to autumnal reds, oranges
and browns. It has a lovely café for
a warming cup of tea and an amazing
fountain that kids will enjoy seeing,
plus it’s just a short walk from the
British Museum (p. 54).
Southampton Row, WC1.
Ë Russell Square. Map A6/B6.
NORTH LONDON
More than 120 languages are
spoken in this multi-ethnic and
vibrant region, which is steeped
in history, renowned for its culture,
and boasts excellent transport links.
Areas of interest include Hampstead
Heath (p. 43) and the spectacular
views from Primrose Hill, next to
Regent’s Park (p. 43).
Hidden Gem: The Spaniards Inn.
One of London’s oldest pubs, this
16th-century Hampstead hostelry
appears in Charles Dickens’s muchloved
novel The Pickwick Papers.
Speciality ales, great pub lunches,
a roaring fire and an autumnal beer
garden await you at this historic inn.
Spaniards Road, NW3.
020 8731 8406.
thespaniardshampstead.co.uk
Ë Hampstead. Off map.
SOUTH LONDON
Otherwise known as ‘south of the
river’, this area is less built up than
the north and loved for its array
of open spaces such as Clapham
Common and Richmond Park.
It’s popular for sporting attractions
including the Wimbledon Lawn
Tennis Museum (p. 36) and World
Rugby Museum (p. 39). It’s also
home to the royal borough of
Greenwich, the UK’s most
famous maritime site.
Hidden Gem: Crystal Palace
Park. This large, attractive park
was home to the Crystal Palace
building – which featured at the
Great Exhibition of 1851 – until it
was destroyed by fire in 1936. It
still contains the life-size dinosaur
models displayed at the exhibition
– look out for these quirky pieces
of history lurking among the trees.
Daily 07.00-dusk. Admission free.
Anerly Hill, SE20. 020 8778
7148. t Crystal Palace. Off map.
EAST LONDON
Once the heart of working-class
London, the east has gone through
a period of regeneration thanks to
the recent London 2012 Olympic
Games and Paralympic Games.
Factories and docks give way to
a funky arts scene, bars and clubs,
plus markets like Old Spitalfields
(p. 64), and The O 2 complex – home
to shops, bars, restaurants and the
British Music Experience (p. 55).
Hidden Gem: Hackney City Farm.
Get a taste of the rural life and
come face-to-face with goats, pigs,
sheep and more at this fascinating
urban farm. There’s also an
award-winning café on site, serving
top quality Italian cuisine and
homemade ice cream. Tues-Sun
10.00-16.30. Admission free.
Goldsmiths Row, E2.
020 7729 6381.
hackneycityfarm.co.uk
Ë Bethnal Green. Off map.
WEST LONDON
Parts of this affluent area run
alongside the western end of
the River Thames and Regent’s
Canal. Here you’ll find elegant
districts including Chelsea and
Knightsbridge. It’s also home
to Notting Hill’s fashionable
shops and restaurants, plus
Portobello Road, site of the
famous street market (p. 66).
Hidden Gem: The Puppet
Theatre Barge. This floating venue,
docked in Little Venice (above) for
the autumn and winter, has been
staging charming puppet theatre
shows for children and adults for
30 years now. Times vary.
Admission £10, child £8.50.
Moored on Regent’s Canal,
opposite 35 Blomfield Road, W9.
020 7249 6876.
puppetbarge.com
Ë Warwick Avenue. Off map.
LITTLE VENICE © PAWEL LIBERA/LONDONONVIEW
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| visitlondon.com|LONDON PLANNER|November 2012